Bill Maher: 'The Israelis Are Controlling Our Government'

"Based on every statement I’ve heard out of any Republican in the last two years, the Israelis are controlling our government."

So said HBO's Bill Maher Friday (video follows with transcript and commentary):

JAMIE WEINSTEIN, DAILY CALLER: Just yesterday there was a new speech that they believe in which during the question and answers at Rutgers University, [Chuck Hagel] claimed that the State Department was controlled by the Israeli government. It is Israeli foreign ministry that controls the State Department.

BILL MAHER, HOST: And it’s not?

WEINSTEIN: This state, well there;s two things wrong with that. One is that it's, it’s, you know, kind of suggesting Israeli power is controlling things. Number two is that of all the branches of the government, the State Department being a, the most pro-Israel branch is ridiculous.

MAHER: Based on every statement I’ve heard out of any Republican in the last two years, the Israelis are controlling our government.

WEINSTEIN: Not the State Department, that’s for sure.

Huh?

If the Israelis controlled our government, we would have a far stronger position against Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.

On top of this, there would be no question about our view of Hamas, Hezbollah, and missile attacks on Israel from Gaza.

Sadly, such issues are far too complex for the pot-smoking Maher.